Operating table with adjustable top sections



April 28, 1953 w. MEYER OPERATING TABLE .WITH ADJUSTABLE TOP SECTIONS Filed July 18, 1951 II I! m a Q I s b I II r\w W l m 2. R J 4 em 8 Q Wm M 7 3 2 a Q 2 N 2 NM 6 7 mm Q Mwfi Q m m J- mm Q W W 2 h\ \\\u\\ f 1 m w H, Q g m 2 8 X R mm m. 9 a; a I |--1 I! N mm Patented Apr. 28, 1953 OPERATING TABLE WITH ADJUSTABLE TOP SECTIONS Walter Meyer, Tegernsee, Bavaria, Germany Application July 18, 1951, Serial No. 237,319 In Germany July 21, 1950 4 Claims.

The invention relates to operating tables, the table top of which consists of several relatively :adjustable panels, and which is pivoted about a horizontal transverse axis and a longitudinal axis.

In known operating tables of this type, which are adjustable in height parallel to their normal horizontal position, the actual support of the table top is for reasons of balance, normally attached centrally underneath the table. Although with this arrangement the operator has a fairly unobstructed working space, it is impossible to use X-ray and radiographical equipment, which is frequently desired and necessary during operation.

It is the aim of the invention to provide an operating table of the above mentioned type with which the space directly below the table top is free from all obstructing supporting mechanisms, rods, levers and the like, so that this space is available for other purposes, in particularly to render the use of X-ray and radiographical equipment possible during operations as well as at other times.

The present invention contemplates an operating table, the table top of which consists of several relatively displaceable panels, and which is pivoted about a horizontal transverse and a longitudinal axis so as to be vertically adjustable par- :allel to its normal horizontal position. The supporting means of the table according to the invention are disposed remote from the table and comprise a generally horizontally disposed fork which supports the table top rotatably about its transverse axis. The fork is carried, at its closed end only, in a supporting head which is prefer- :ably disposed at the level of the fork, and which is vertically adjustable and pivoted about the horizontal longitudinal axis of said table top within a guide member.

The invention will be further described by way 'of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a diagrammatic perspective view of the operating table constructed according to the invention.

The top of the operating table comprises the seat panel I, which is rotatably mounted between the prongs or arms 2 and 3 and head part 4 of a supporting fork by means of journals 5. Attached to the one side of the seat panel I are the two leg panels I and 8 which are pivoted and adjustable about the axis 6. Situated on the other side of the seat panel is the back panel 9, pivoted and adjustable about the axis In and which carries a similarly adjustable head panel II. The adjustment of the seat panel I, the leg panels I and 8 and the back panel 9 may be carried out in known manner by means of a worm gear or similar means, whilst the adjustment of the head panel II is carried out by hand and self-locking means which ensure the desired adjustment required in individual use in the manner usual for operating tables. The example shows the adjusting device for the seat panel I, which comprises a shaft I3 journaled to the fork so as to extend substantially along and below the fork arm or prong 2. A hand wheel I2 is secured to the shaft I3 at the fork head 4 and a worm I4 on the other end of shaft I3 is in mesh with a worm wheel sector I5 mounted on the journal 5 on the side of the fork arms.

The arms 2 and 3 of the fork are shored for rigidity by means of struts I6, which are also joined to the head part 4 of the fork.

The operating table with its bifurcated supporting device is disposed within a rectangular tubular framework. This comprises the two base plates I! and I8, rigidly connected by means of two base tubes I9 and 20. Mounted upright and parallel on the base plate H are two vertical guide tubes 2I, 22, the upper ends of which are connected by means of the spacing bridge 23. Mounted in a similar manner on the base plate are the guide tubes 25 and26 connected by means of the spacing bridge 24. The bridges 23 and 24 are connected rigidly above the operating table by means of two parallel tubes 21 and 28.

A supporting head 29 is slidingly mounted on the guide tubes 2I and 22. The height of the head 29 may be adjusted by means of the hand Wheel 30, a screwed shaft 3| and the internally threaded sleeve 32. The head part 4 of the two fork arms 2 and 3 is rotatably mounted in the supporting head 29 and is adjustable to any angular position. The axis of rotation thereby forms a centre line relative to the two fork arms 2 and 3. In the example shown on the drawing a thick cylindrical sleeve 33 is provided for attaching the head part 4 to the supporting head 29 and the rotation and adjustment can be effected by means of a hand wheel 34 disposed on the other side of the supporting head. It is possible however to mount the supporting fork 2, 3, 4 in the supporting head 29 in any other suitable rotatable hearing.

A transverse head 35 is disposed on the pair of tubes 25, 26 at the foot of the table, which head is vertically adjustable by means of the hand wheel 36 and the screwed shaft drive 31. This transverse head carries the so called leg extensions, which are formed by the foot plates 38 and 39 against which the feet of the patient rest, these foot rests being mounted on the rods 40 and 41 which are longitudinally adjustable by means of the hand wheels 42, 43. The internally threaded sleeves 4B and 41 actuated by means of the hand wheels 44, 45 serve for the transverse adjustment.

A correspondingly constructed adjustable device for the arm extensions may be mounted on the supporting rod 48, attached to a bridge slidable along tubes 21 and 28 whilst the supporting rods 49 and 50 attached to bridges slidable along tubes 21, 28 and I9, 20, respectively, are provided for the purpose of mounting above orbelow the table X-ray tubes or radiographical equipment, with which observations may be made and photographs may be taken during the operation or treatment. Further radiographic appliances such as diaphragm apertures, locating apparatus etc. may also be fitted on the fork arms 2 and 3, so that the operator during the operation is also in the position to give X-ray treatment and to take X-ray photos.

The operating table constructed according to the invention may naturally also be used for X-ray observations and X-ray photography when no operation is carried out. Thus the apparatus may be used as an operating unit and an- X-ray unit, and by means of mounting additional aecessories, such as lamps, anaesthetic equipment etc. may be extended to form a universally usable unit serving many purposes. Such a table may also economically be used with great success as a mobile unit, since the whole apparatus consists of detachably connected parts which facilitate a rapid assembly and dismantling for convenient transportation.

I claim:

1. An operating table comprising a frame structure including an upright, a support guided slidabiy on said upright, a forked member including a head portion and two prongs, the head portion of said member being journaled in said support about a horizontal axis, a table top including a plurality of panels displaceable in relation to one another, said table top being journaled in the free ends of said prongs about a transverse axis at right angles to said horizontal axis, means in connection with said support to adjust its height, second adjustable means to turn said forked member about said horizontal axis, and third adjustable means to turn said table top about said transverse axis.

2. An operating table as claimed in claim 1, said transverse axis being located approximately in the middle between the foot and the head ends of said table top and said head end of said table top being located between said prongs near the. head portion of said fork.

3. An operating table as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said adjustable means includes a hand wheel for operating said means, and all said hand wheels being arranged on the side of said upright opposite to said forked member.

4. An operating table as claimed in claim 1, said means for turning said table top about said transverse axis comprising a shaft journaled to said forked member and extending substantially along and underneath one of said prongs, a hand wheel on the end of said shaft near the head portion of said forked member, a worm secured to the other end of said shaft and a worm wheel sector in mesh with said worm and secured to the journal of said table top on the side of said one prong.

WALTER MEYER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

